Maternal mortality (MM) has been an important issue for years, but it is only within the last 50 to 100 years that the global health community has started focusing its attention on it. In an attempt to reduce MM, programs were formulated and implemented. Such programs include the safe motherhood initiative (SMI) of the 80s, the millennium development goals (MDGs: 2000 to 2015), and currently the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The SMI attempted to reduce MM but failed to do so as envisaged and to improve on it, the MDGs were implemented. Although the MDGs made significant inroads in reducing MM, like its predecessor, it failed to achieve 100% success. As we are on the verge of starting another attempt (SDGs), we must identify the impediments that limited the success of the two previous programs. We need to inject new innovations into the SDGs to make them a success. Emphasis should now be on information, access, and quality of care provided during the intrapartum and postpartum periods which are the times when most MM occur. New ideas such as setting up maternity clusters should be implemented for the hard-to-reach communities. This approach can be the panacea to reduce MM especially in the developing countries.